Quentin Tarantino is making a Manson Family film

Never one to shy away from controversial subjects, Quentin Tarantino’s next project is reported to be a unique take on the Charles Manson murders.

Deadline has suggested that Tarantino has already approached Australian actor Margot Robbie to potentially play 60s star Sharon Tate, Manson’s most famous victim. The wife of director Roman Polanski, Tate and a group of her friends were killed by Manson and his gang in 1969 in a brutal murder that shocked the world. Deadline also suggests Tarantino regular Samuel L Jackson – they’ve worked together on Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight – has also been offered a role in the as-yet-untitled film.

The Hollywood Reporter, meanwhile, has heard rumours that other A-listers like Brad Pitt (who was in Inglourious Basterds) and Jennifer Lawrence have also been offered parts.

Pitt may be a tad too old to play Manson, who was 35 in 1969, but there are also rumours that Tarantino has recently had a meeting with his Django Unchained actor Leonardo DiCaprio over dinner, who might be a better fit. And we know he can rock a skuzzy, Manson-style beard from The Revenant.

Previously, Tarantino has admitted that he makes two types of movies in two types of universes: a heightened reality universe and a "movie" universe. "There are actually two separate universes," he said. "There’s the realer than real universe, and all the characters inhabit that one. Then there’s this 'movie' universe, so From Dusk Till Dawn and Kill Bill take place in this special movie universe. Basically, when the characters from Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction go to the movies, Kill Bill and From Dusk Till Dawn is what they go see." 

If the film goes ahead, this will mark a big change for Tarantino: this will be his first film based on true life events. Can he pull it off? We'll have to wait a few years to see, as shooting doesn't start until summer 2018.